Chapter 98: Uninvited Guest

“Mr. Du, there is a lady outside the company’s gates looking for you. She says she’s an old friend of yours.”

Du Qiu was in his office tweaking the design diagrams for a super-precision machine tool when Wen Siqing, his new secretary, knocked on his door.

Du Qiu looked up at Wen Siqing and asked, “An old friend of mine? What’s her name?”

Wen Siqing replied, “I asked her over the phone, and she said you’ll know once you go out to see her.”

Du Qiu couldn’t help but smile wryly, “Oh, she wants me to go out to greet her? That’s quite the attitude.”

Wen Siqing’s face turned slightly, and she immediately said, “Mr. Du, then I’ll go out and ask her for more details before inviting her in.”

Wen Siqing had only been at the company for a few days and didn’t know much about this new company and the new boss.

Because Dream Technology differed considerably from the large corporations she had worked for in the past, where seeing the boss required strict appointments, she directly reported the matter to Du Qiu when someone unexpectedly came looking for him.

Seeing Du Qiu’s somewhat displeased expression, she felt somewhat flustered.

“No need, I happen to be free, so I’ll go out and meet this old friend.”

As Du Qiu spoke, he had already risen and started walking out, with Wen Siqing quickly following behind.

Although the company’s largest order had been affected due to Huading Group’s troubles, with the good reputation of the Heavenly System spreading in the industry,

Chen Tao’s sales department had been working hard, and the company’s business had consequently been flourishing more recently.

Now, Dream Technology had entirely overcome the brief crisis.

Moreover, in the past two days, the three new materials companies had transferred the funds to several designated accounts one after another.

Du Qiu no longer had concerns about a funding break and was finding all business affairs to be progressing very smoothly.

After encountering the alien civilization under attack in a dream that night, he had successfully transported into the intelligent core of the Processor,

but he subsequently exited the dream out of concern that the Maintainer’s robots might conduct a thorough inspection.

As expected, Du Qiu was unable to reenter the dream for two consecutive nights, which indicated that the super-machine had once again shut down.

Du Qiu guessed that the alien civilization’s encounter might not have been a simple sneak attack, and it was unknown how long this battle would last.

Since he couldn’t continue studying the alien technology in his dreams at night, Du Qiu decided to devote his full attention to the development of the super-precision machining center.

If the boss was working day and night in the company, the members of the project team involved in the research and development of the super-precision machining center would do the same.

Liu Yaofeng had been complained to by his girlfriend several times—perhaps it was time to give everyone a break?

Thinking of such matters, Du Qiu walked downstairs without speaking to Wen Siqing, making her feel even more uneasy.

Passing through the sales department’s office area, Du Qiu saw the gate.

There, a blonde in professional attire stood out, basking in the early June sun, looking radiant and splendid.

Du Qiu’s steps halted abruptly.

He never imagined he would reunite with Imanka in such a manner.

Imanka, hearing the commotion from Du Qiu’s direction, turned her head to look, revealing a smile upon seeing him, and then walked over at a measured pace.

“Hi, Little Qiu, I’m so glad to see you again. It’s been five years,” Imanka said, opening her arms and embracing Du Qiu tightly.

Reacting from his initial shock, Du Qiu also embraced Imanka.

“Yes, it’s been five years,” Du Qiu quickly let go and took a step back, appraising her carefully, “You’re still as beautiful as ever, hardly changed at all.”

“You’ve matured a lot,” Imanka said with a smile.

Wen Siqing observed them with eyes glittering with surprise and gossip—seemed she was witnessing an important moment in her boss’s life.

Although Imanka had seen Du Qiu before, she felt as if the young man from those days had truly grown up.

“Let’s go, we’ll talk in my office.”

…

…

Wen Siqing placed the freshly brewed coffee down and then carefully left the office.

“When did you arrive in Magic City?”

Imanka looked at Du Qiu and said, “I’ve been here for a while, but I’ve been so busy that I didn’t manage to find you. You’re not mad at me, are you?”

“How could I be mad at you,” Du Qiu shook his head, “So, that means you’re working in Magic City? What kind of work are you doing now?”

“I’m working for an environmental organization. My visit to Magic City is to collaborate on a project with the Magic City Environmental Bureau.”

Du Qiu, taken aback, asked, “Are you with the Natural Force?”

This was too much of a coincidence since he had recently planned to contact people from the Natural Force.

Suddenly reminded of Ning Shuangshuang’s previous mention of a surprise, he immediately felt nervous—she must have known all along.

Noticing Du Qiu’s knowledge about the Natural Force, Imanka was glad she had not acted recklessly, seemingly surprised she inquired, “You actually know about the Natural Force?”

Du Qiu chuckled, “Speaking of which, I was planning to find some time to meet with personnel from the Natural Force, but what a coincidence, you’re one of them.”

Imanka, astonished, asked, “You’re looking for someone from the Natural Force? What’s the matter?”

Having just reunited with Imanka after many years and with Walkerson having twice hired people to steal the crystal cube, Du Qiu felt it inappropriate to confront her directly with this, given that Walkerson was her colleague.

Instead, he initiated a lighter conversation, “What kind of environmental organization is the Natural Force?”

Imanka explained, “Our organization reveres nature and hopes to reduce the impact of modern industrial society on the environment. We oppose projects that have significant environmental impact.

We have supporters all over the world, including many scientists who have joined our cause.

Our current urgent mission is to encourage governments worldwide to collaborate in addressing global climate change and species extinction.”

A scornful smile crossed Du Qiu’s face as he said, “Yet, it’s your United States that pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol, which is quite ironic.”

Imanka’s face reddened slightly in defense, “That’s the problem with the current administration. We believe that facing global climate change, the United States will take its rightful leadership role.”

Du Qiu, seeing Imanka’s reaction, was reminded of their times together when they often engaged in debates, only to end in impasse where neither could persuade the other.

Actually, the cultural differences that lay at the heart of their separation despite Du Qiu’s reluctance to move abroad proved insurmountable—both staunchly defended their respective national cultures and traditions.

Ironically, five years later, their first meeting had them embroiled in debate once more.

“Let’s not talk about these big issues,” Du Qiu waved his hand, ending the debate, and inquired, “How did you find me here?”

Imanka, who had left Tang Country five years ago with no further contact, and in a metropolis teeming with millions like Magic City, Du Qiu was curious about how she found his company with such accuracy.

Imanka, seeing Du Qiu shift the subject, did not wish to continue the debate and responded, “I saw a report about you in a local evening paper a while back.”

Du Qiu had a realization; it must have been Zhang Mingliu’s article—indeed quite fortuitous.

“I didn’t expect you were still into newspapers.”

“Yeah. And I didn’t expect that you’re doing so well in business now that you’ve made it to the newspaper. You’re indeed remarkable!”

“Thanks for the compliment. By the way, what position do you hold at the Natural Force? Are you familiar with the organization’s leadership? People like Walkerson, for example?”

Du Qiu still couldn’t resist asking the question on his mind.

Imanka’s heart skipped a beat—clearly Walkerson had been ousted by the captured spy.

She could no longer keep it from Du Qiu, “Walkerson is my direct superior.”

“Your superior?” Du Qiu didn’t expect such a coincidence, “What kind of man is he? Is he fond of force, or not so law-abiding?”

Imanka asked, “Do you have some issue? Why do you see Mr. Walkerson in such a light?”

Du Qiu sighed and said, “Imanka, I think you should consider leaving the Natural Force. This Mr. Walkerson is too ruthless in his methods; he’s not a good boss.”